The difference between a top five class and a top 15 class for LSU this year likely rests on signing the top two prospects from the Pelican State, River Ridge John Curtis running back/wide receiver/defensive back Joe McKnight and Baton Rouge Southern Lab safety Chad Jones. Rivals.com's JC Shurburtt has the scoop on that and much more in the SEC Blitz.

The Crimson Tide coaching staff has done an excellent job of hitting the Panhandle and the West coast of Florida to fill needs during the past three recruiting classes. In 2005, the highlight was offensive tackle Michael Johnson from Pensacola Pine Forest, last year, Sarasota Booker defensive back Marquise Johnson was the big prize. This year, a host of talented Floridians, including wide receiver Jermaine McKenzie of Bradenton, cornerback Chris Lett of Pensacola and quarterback Robert Marve of Tampa Plant pepper the Alabama commit list. This is a trend that should continue as the Tide coaching staff continues to plow in-roads in those areas of focus in the Sunshine State.

Recent safety commit Bret Harris of Irving (Texas) MacArthur will be a good player for the Razorbacks. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder is a vicious hitter who started his career at running back, so he's also athletic. Harris may not be the only piece of good news that Arkansas will get from the Dallas Metroplex school in the coming months. The Hawgs are making quite an impression on explosive athlete Ron Brooks. Should the speedy Brooks end up on offense, it's yet another big-time playmaker for young quarterbacks Mitch Mustain and Casey Dick to distribute the ball to in that offense.

The Tigers are major players for Lyman (Fla.) Longwood defensive tackle Ian Williams. The 6-foot-2, 294-pounder had a very good official visit to Auburn last weekend and as long as Florida will not accept his commitment and provided he doesn't take any more official visits (he may visit Clemson, South Carolina or Ole Miss), it's an Auburn-Notre Dame battle for the talented trenchman. Williams is a talented nose tackle prospect who could also play a "2" technique on the interior defensive line and will be a big pick-up for whichever school gets him.

The state of Florida's top prospect, defensive tackle Torrey Davis is saying that he is on track to qualify and make it into UF on time. This comes as no surprise as Davis was within striking distance from the start. He certainly didn't have a lot of margin for error, but he wasn't a lost cause. The nation's third-ranked prospect will make an immediate impact on the defensive line should he continue to progress according to schedule. Former Gator commit D'Angelo McCray is set to announce his decision on Dec. 14. He continues to favor Illinois and Florida. It would not be a shock if he picked the Fighting Illini.

If the Bulldogs get a commitment from Norcross (Ga.) Greater Atlanta Christian running back Caleb King on Friday morning, it gives UGA another much-needed playmaker in its offense. King isn't going to step in and start right away and will have to battle for carries at tailback with Knowshown Moreno and the talented upperclassmen already on the roster, but his versatile skills, which include those as a receiver and a returner, without a doubt can be utilized early by Mark Richt and staff. It's shaping up to be a South Carolina-Georgia border war for Georgia Military College prospects Jarius Wynn, Vince Vance and Corvey Irvin. All three are Georgia natives.

The Wildcats have extended a scholarship offer to Mobile (Ala.) McGill-Toolen defensive lineman Jake Lanefski as an offensive lineman. But that doesn't bother the 6-foot-5, 250-pounder. "The coaches know what's best," he said. Sources in the Mobile area say that offensive line may be Lanefski's best position long term. One thing is certain, the offer from UK puts the Cats in the driver's seat at this time and it wouldn't be a shock to see them wrap this one up pretty quick.

In the "let's state the obvious" department, the difference between a top five class and a top 15 class for LSU this year likely rests on signing the top two prospects from the Pelican State, River Ridge John Curtis running back/wide receiver/defensive back Joe McKnight and Baton Rouge Southern Lab safety Chad Jones. The main competition for both is Southern California, so the key is convince both that staying at home and playing for the Tigers is better than heading off to the bright lights of Los Angeles.

The top offensive lineman in the Bulldogs' current recruiting class, Columbus (Miss.) Caledonia's Derek Sherrod, has been named to the East squad of the inaugural Offense-Defense All-American Bowl. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. Jan. 4 at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Rivals.com is the official selection partner of the event. Sherrod is lone prospect selected from the state of Mississippi and one of the top offensive linemen selected.

It has been written that Rebels coach Ed Orgeron encourages his commits to take official visits to other schools to make sure they are making the right decision. A couple of prospects are taking him up on that. Rebels running back commit Robert Elliott is one of the top prospects at his position in the Southeast. He will make other official visits in addition to Ole Miss, including one to Alabama. Same with Hammond (La.) offensive lineman Rishaw Johnson who will visit Florida State and LSU in addition to heading to Oxford officially. Johnson was recently named to the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl.

With a strong need at the position, the Gamecocks are making a move on Fort Myers (Fla.) tight end Mat Williams. The 6-foot-4, 224-pounder has had an outstanding senior season and is starting to get more and more attention after starting out this recruiting cycle somewhat under the radar. Right now, Williams favors Louisville, followed by the Gamecocks and South Florida, but his official visits will go along way toward determining his college destination.

Most of the focus of the Big Orange Nation in terms of recruiting has been on the Vols' chances with highly-regarded linebacker Chris Donald, cornerback Eric Berry defensive tackle Marvin Austin and local athlete Harrison Smith. But very quietly, the Vols have become major players for Rivals100 athlete Morgan Burnett of College Park (Ga.) North Clayton, Rivals250 athlete Brandon Paul of Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln and Rivals250 defensive tackle Rolando Melancon of Lutcher (La.).

With the recent news that Notre Dame has extended a written scholarship offer to Hendersonville (Tenn.) Pope John Paul II wide receiver/running back/defensive back Golden Tate, the Commodores aren't likely to land him. That's a shame for Vandy because for a while there, things were looking good for the Dores to ink Tate, who likely was going to play football and baseball for the local program.